Director of Operations – Manufacturing Site Leader

Reporting to: Vice-President of Operations

Bring your creativity and fresh thinking to Hermes Abrasives, a cutting-edge subsidiary of WALTER Surface Technologies. Since 1952, WALTER has built a reputation for high quality and innovation in surface treatment technologies and a global leader in high-performance solutions for the metalworking industry. Our core philosophy centers on empowering customers to work smarter and achieve excellence through the best technology, products, performance, safety, and durability—driving increased productivity and profitability.

About the Role

We are seeking a high-autonomy Director of Operations – Manufacturing Site Leader with ownership of site-level performance. This role is built for a decisive leader who sets priorities, establishes operating discipline, and drives execution with minimal direction.

The Director of Operations – Manufacturing Site Leader has clear decision-making authority over daily operations, resources, and execution. Success requires the ability to introduce structure, reinforce accountability, and improve follow-through within an established workforce—while consistently delivering results in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

This is a hands-on leadership role with strategic impact, offering the opportunity to shape plant culture, operating cadence, and performance expectations while directly influencing business outcomes.

Role Scope & Ownership

The Director of Operations – Manufacturing Site Leader focuses on the end-to-end value stream and is accountable for operational results, workforce effectiveness, and asset performance. KPIs, ERP systems, and dashboards are used as decision-making and prioritization tools. The role combines floor-level leadership with ownership of execution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Plant Operations & Execution

• Plays a key role in executing plant operations with emphasis on accountability, safety, delivery, and cost.
• Set operational priorities and translate business demand into executable production plans that balance capacity, labor, and resources.
• Establish and enforce a disciplined daily and weekly operating rhythm focused on execution, issue resolution, and follow-through.
• Use KPIs and operational data to identify constraints, make trade-offs, and drive improvements in flow, productivity, and stability.
• Standardize production processes while maintaining flexibility to respond to demand changes and disruptions.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to improve reliability and output.
• Maintain a strong plant-floor presence to remove barriers, reinforce expectations, and support frontline execution.
• Optimize labor, materials, equipment, and capacity to improve efficiency and support growth.

2. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Own safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible plant operations.
• Execute the site HSEQ Action Plan and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and regulatory requirements.
• Embed a zero-incident mindset into daily decisions and operational priorities.
• Lead audits, inspections, and corrective actions to closure.
• Ensure training, certification, and competency standards are met for all critical roles.
• Lead investigations of significant incidents and implement durable corrective actions.
• Ensure consistent application of safety standards across all shifts and departments.

3. Leadership, Culture & Continuous Improvement

• Develop supervisors and plant leadership with clear expectations for ownership, accountability, and execution.
• Establish a high-performance culture grounded in structure, trust, and operational discipline.
• Heavily involved in workforce planning, performance management, and succession planning with HR.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, waste reduction) focused on measurable results.
• Use operational data to set priorities, track progress, and ensure completion of corrective actions.
• Address performance gaps directly and constructively.
• Build workforce capability through targeted coaching, training, and development.

4. Financial, Asset & Customer Management

• Heavily involved in plant financial performance, including budget input, cost control, and spending decisions.
• Make operational trade-offs that balance cost, service, safety, and quality.
• Integral to plant assets and reliability through proactive maintenance and capital stewardship.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, organization, and asset care.
• Support capital planning aligned with site needs and business strategy.
• Identify opportunities for productivity improvement and capacity expansion.

Core Competencies & Attributes

• Independent Leadership: Operates with autonomy and full accountability
• Execution Focus: Drives action, follow-through, and results
• Decision Quality: Makes timely, practical decisions
• Operational Discipline: Establishes structure and consistency
• People Leadership: Builds accountability and develops leaders
• Financial Acumen: Understands cost drivers and trade-offs
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data to inform decisions
• Integrity & Courage: Leads transparently and addresses issues directly

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 10 years of manufacturing or plant operations experience, including 4 years in a Plant Manager or equivalent role
• Proven success leading autonomous operations and improving performance
• Hands-on experience with production, labor management, budgeting, and asset utilization
• Strong background in Lean manufacturing
• Authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean or Six Sigma certification
• Multi-shift manufacturing experience
• Background in abrasives, coatings, converting, or similar industries
• ERP/MRP experience (SAP, D365, or equivalent)
• Engineering or technical background

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial conditions
• Regular presence on the plant floor with direct engagement across teams

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)

• A consistent operating cadence is established across all shifts
• Leaders demonstrate stronger ownership and decision-making
• Measurable gains in safety, schedule adherence, productivity, and cost
• KPIs actively guide prioritization and issue resolution
• Improved follow-through on corrective actions and initiatives
• Higher workforce engagement and alignment
• Increased operational stability supporting customer service and growth